Retro Rack

I went through this massive purge recently, frankly I've changed shape quite a bit since my surgery and not everything fits well anymore. Plus I really just want to slim down my wardrobe, I have too much clothing. Some of these I haven't worn in several years.

Modern Made Retro Dresses

I got this dress from Nordstrom Rack, it's not vintage. I like it but the slip under is too short, it doesn't fit well in the waist and it's sleeveless (I'm not into sleeveless these days). I also already have a 1930s style dress in this color that I tend to reach for if I'm wanting bright pink.



This one also came from Rack years ago, here it is in a steampunk style. The sleeves are now too tight and I find it a bit too short for my taste. I requires a slip which negates any advantage on a hot day.  And I just have to admit blush isn't a super flattering color on my skin tone.


 Cream lace dress, another Rack find. It is easy to get on, travels well, and packs beautifully, but I just don't wear it. It's slightly the wrong length for my taste and it's sleeveless. Which I'm just moving away from.


This ruched black dress. It's great, it hides a million sins, it packs. But... it's a little black dress. I have too many already. This one is not quite stretchy enough to show off my waist and (say it with me) it's sleeveless.

Vintage Dresses

1960s vintage teal velvet last worn for the Waistcoats & Weaponry book tour. I love this dress, it's flattering on but without my epic Rack it's just too big. It's so well made with lining and tucks and such that it simply can't be taken in, either. Here's hoping some lovely size 8-10 finds it and falls in love.


1950s striped seersucker makes me very happy, and I love this material. But the dress has never really fit me well and now it's just gone all pear shaped. Or perhaps that's me? I just don't love it anymore. And it doesn't have pockets.


1970s knitted set, shirt & skirt, both are a nubby cream acrylic knit. I think I like the idea of knitted sets more than the execution. I thought this set would both be so versatile and serviceable but frankly, I barely wear either the top or the skirt. Too warm, slightly scratchy. I'm also getting rid of the purple blouse shown with the skirt of this set. The third picture is of me right before I bought it (I'm wearing it over other clothes) but still, see the former rack? Whoa.


This black and white skirt. Massive sentimental value and great memories and affection ~ ask me at a signing some time and I will tell you the story, but it doesn't fit right anymore. It's time to let it go.

Goodbye Eshakti

These dresses served me well and brilliantly, and opened my eyes to the joys of eShakti. But after my surgery they are just way too big in the chest and that's just an area it's impossible to easily tailor. So I pass them on in the hopes they go on to find an equally well endowed young lady who, I hope, will be surprised and delighted to find something that actually fits.

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can shop my recommendations via the following lists:
Steampunk, Retro Jewelry, Makeup, Retro Clothes, Lifestyle

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I get a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

1900  The Philadelphia Museum of Art

2014 Sass & Bide

Hail The Victorious Parasol Shirt

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

quotes Gail likes

For some reason this is a really hard outfit to get a good photo of, Gentle Reader. Probably all that cream.


I've worn it several times in various different iterations (I have a cream lace skirt with a train for indoor only events, and a beautiful brocade over-skirt REALLY for indoor only) but this is my travel lace skirt version.

Outfit Breakdown:

* Leather flower hairband with additional pearl decoration added by me (similar $10)
* Lacey shrug from Newport News a million years ago (similar only with more steampunk, so cute $6-11)
* Double breasted corset from Dark Garden, highly customized based off their classic Victorian style but super modified. Autumn would make you one similar but take this picture to show her. I also had her custom make me matching wrist corsets. Back when I was working for her as a lacer I started to get some carpel tunnel, these helped and were cute.
* Crochet neckline under blouse is vintage, here's one sort-of similar for $20
* Pearl vintage looking jewelry set, similar $19
* Necklace watch brass $8
* Long stretch lace skirt found at Ross or similar years ago, similar $19


I like to wear cream at steampunk events as lighter colors are less well represented.

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

The second day of Steampunk Worlds Fair, Saturday, I wore this outfit...



So I have had this dress hanging around my closet for a while, Gentle Reader.

Here I am wearing it a few different ways in France four years ago. It hasn't been worn a great deal since then, to be fair. 

So because I thought it'd be hot, I busted it out the back of my closet to go with a foundation corset I have. 

Throwing a bit of shade there, in more ways than one. I swear I don't have indigestion or anything. Anyway, I'm not sure about it paired with the corset as it's not great in the boob arena, even with a killer bra. Always a concern with underbust corsets.


Outfit Rundown:
Disregarding the dress, purchased years ago at Nordstrom Rack, I'm wearing...
* Dark Garden Cupid corset which I mainly use and an undergarment.
* Cream glove, long, vintage cotton.
* Suspender nylon thigh highs for $15.
* Cream oxford wingtips (no longer available except in small sizes)


 For accessories I have a blush flower hairband (similar $7), lace necklace (custom made for me by a fan, similar for $9), necklace watch ($5), pen necklace (silver $20), and bottle earrings (similar $8) you can fill them with whatever you like.


Anyway, there it is, still not sure on keeping this dress. I suppose I'll see if I wear it again.

Hugs, my lovelies!

Your Miss Gail

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

For the second day of Confusion I wore a few old favorites.


My favorite grey facinator (now in black and red $15ea), a vintage 1940s cream jacket (it looks better buttoned), a silky flower print purple blouse from J.C. Penny (years ago), and the skirt part of my 1950s cream knit suit, with black ballet flats (similar $15). I try to wear flats the second day of a con to give my feet a rest and because Saturday is almost always my busiest day rushing from panel to panel.


The choker was a gift from the BFF, it's made of tiny little silver roses. I've never seen anything else like it out there. Those are my favorite earrings made from fountain pen nibs. Mine are silver but I did find these brass ones for $24, and I'm sure the silver are all over Etsy.

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

My last day at Gaslight Gathering I had one outfit planned to go with this corset which turned out not to work out. It was to go over a vintage dress that ripped asunder. Don't cry, I'll use it as an excuse to whittle down the wardrobe. Never a bad thing. So instead I wore my Fancy corset with this...


This is my other Alyscia Dark Garden corset. You can see it's different, there's princess cross over straps (I should have gotten a photo of the back). I gave this fabric to Autumn to use. That's how I have excess for the reticule, hat, and the shawl. Yes I made those three items. I can't remember where I got the fabric, but I know it was a pain to work with. It had to be fused. I love patterned fabric that has a geometric or Deco feel. I tend to go for that (where possible) over something like paisley or brocade. I had this corset made specifically with an eye toward evening fancy events, like the opera. It has a satin iridescent skirt to match, and a bustled overstrict for steampunk, but neither travel well. (At the time I was dating an opera singer.) I'll look into a wine pencil skirt for this in future, for ease of travel.

Here, I'm wearing it with the underskirt of the cream outfit from the night before. Which really DOESN'T travel, the crinoline got all squished and refused to obey me for the whole con. Won't to that again!

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.

For Saturday night's ball I wore my favorite cream outfit. This one doesn't transport easily so I rarely wear it away from home. I'm working on a travel modified version, you'll likely see me in that next year at Steampunk World's Fair.


This corset had to be made over because I used to use it for waist training and, frankly, I've given up on that malarkey. In other words, it was too small. Because Autumn knew I'd be using it for steampunk in the future she improvised a second busk which allowed her to widen it at the front and then she took a little out of the bust (rack reduction, you know?) and wha la! I'm sorry the picture is so bad. I promise to have better in future.


From the top down...

1. Vintage 1950s lace applique headband, similar $17
2. Matched pearl necklace and earring set, similar $30 
3. Shrug, cotton and lace from Newport News years ago, similar knitted multiple colors $17 or lace and pearl small jacket $19
4. Lace cami, similar $18
5. Double breasted corset, variation on Dark Garden's Victorian
6. Corset busk covers from Ruby Blackbird (discontinued)
7. Brocade skirt, thrifted wedding dress modified by me with a crochet coverlet as trim, similar $80

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

You can visit the following shopping lists: Travel Dork, My Steampunk, My Wardrobe.

Product links on this blog are usually to Amazon using my associate code. At no additional cost to you this means I gets a slight kick back if you make a purchase. Thank you! This allows me to continue to produce this blog without sponsors.